April 29, 2008

Berkeley, CA - The Saint Mary's cross country team ended their off season competition on a high note over the weekend. Eight different runners, in ten events ran seasonal best times, on Friday and Saturday at the 2008 Brutus Hamilton Invitational.

On Friday the Gaels got off to a hot start when freshman Maddie Dengler finished sixth in her heat and 11th overall with a time of 2:30.18 in the Women's 800 meter. The men followed her lead and posted two season bests in the Men's 800 meter, freshman Mark Blucher finished fifth overall, with a 2:01.77, while junior Eric Villegas finished sixth overall with a 2:04.59. Both Blucher and Villegas posted best times in the 1500 meter, Blucher ran a 4:14.72 and placed 11th, Villegas ran a 4:29.91 and placed 13th.

In the women's 5000 meter race, the Gaels were paced by senior Karrie Hagedor, who finished 7th overall, finishing with a time of 17:52.18. Three other Gaels finished the race with their best times of the season. Freshman Tess Grannemann finished 14th with a time of 18:12.78, followed by junior Jenna Zack (23rd) with a time of 21:33.26, who was followed closely by freshman Alex Bettencourt (24th) with a time of 21:53.60.

The Gaels caped off the races on Friday when junior Mario Mendoza finished second in the Men's 5000 meter with a time of 14:59.17, just two seconds behind the winner. Junior Nick Shea added to the total of seasonal best times, when he finished 7th overall, clocking in at 15:35.81. Junior David Stiles rounds out the strong afternoon, placing 11th, with a time of 16:14.69.

The strong finish to the off-season, adds to the excitement of the upcoming 2008 season this fall.